HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS’ KNOWLEDGE TOWARDS MEDICATION USE IN BREASTFEEDING: AN INTERVENTIONAL STUDY

ABSTRACT

@#Background: Most postpartum women are prescribed at least one medication; so the safety of the medication is a major concern. In 2017, 11% of 815 questions received by the Pharmacy Drug Information Services at seven clinics in Dungun is related to medication use in breastfeeding. Thus, this study was carried out to evaluate the attitudes of healthcare providers (HCPs) and to investigate the effect of knowledge about medication use in breastfeeding among HCPs; pre- and post-educational intervention.Methods: An interventional study was carried out among medical officers, assistant medical officers, pharmacists and pharmacist assistants from seven clinics in the district of Dungun, Malaysia. The questionnaires were distributed during pre- and post-intervention period. The interventions in this study included continuous medical education (CME) and the use of a booklet regarding medication use for breastfeeding women. The data collected were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Studies (SPSS) and presented as frequencies, means, and standard deviations.Results: Fifty HCPs were enrolled in this study and over 20% of them advised mothers to discontinue breastfeeding whenever they are prescribed any medication. The knowledge of HCPs about medication use in breastfeeding women was significantly improved (Z= -5.917, p<0.001) following the educational intervention.Conclusion: CME and a simplified booklet appeared to have a positive impact on the knowledge of HCPs regarding medication use in breastfeeding